Title: Kindled Flame
Author: Keithan
Disclaimers: Lord of the Rings and its characters belongs to their respective owners.
Rating: PG
Series: 2/7
Warnings: None other than implied love between same gender. mild/implied slash ; legolas/(estel)aragorn; (estel)aragorn/legolas
Summary: Having no tale to tell of its story would not mean that the light from the love of hope and its green leaves did not exist. But of the time when Hope was young, unburdened still of the cares and troubles of the world, only this tale was told.
Notes: Aragorn and Legolas, a sort of backstory. When it was said in the appendices that Elrond receives Aragorn as a foster-son, I take that to mean exactly that.
This takes place in Imladris and all dialogues may be assumed to have been spoken in Elvish.

Kindled Flame
part 2

Young Estel fiddled with his bow restlessly, waiting for the Lord Glorfindel to arrive.

He knew he should be practicing but he was resting instead. He just had a tiring run from the river and went immediately to his scheduled archery lessons. He had thought of not attending it entirely, probably even go for a ride. But he had just done that the other day, he remembered with a smile. It didn't really please Glorfindel and his foster-father.

So there he was resting, waiting for the ancient Elf of... he frowned, remembering his history. Ah, yes, he thought to himself. He was waiting for the ancient Elf of Gondolin while he rested since he was away almost the whole afternoon. He had been with his father and the house's herb master, helping in finding herbs for restocking the house's supply, both for healing and seasoning. This served to help him to be more aware and knowledgeable on herb lore, knowing what was for which and which was for what.

He looked back to the house for any sign of his instructor. They were supposed to meet some moments ago.

Estel shrugged and turned his attention back to t he bow. He didn't complain about his instructor's lateness. He knew the demands on the Elf lord were high. Being next to Lord Elrond, himself, he was sometimes too busy. In fact, it wasn't even Glorfindel that was his instructor. It was Elrohir. But the twin sons of Elrond had gone to Bree to attend to some business.

Often times, they brought Estel with them and together with the Dúnedain rangers, they scout the lands surrounding Imladris and from those travels came some of his most important practical lessons of the wild.

Right now, however, he was at home because he had been escorted back to the safety of Imladris, the same day that the Prince from Greenwood had arrived. When news of increasing orc activity somewhere near Bree was brought to them in one of their excursions outside the valley of their father, decision to take Estel back home was made instantly. While he was old enough to be allowed to go with his brothers in such trips he was not placed in direct way of danger.

Laughter drifted to his ears and Estel looked up to find two blond Elves walking towards him. It was not hard to recognize them for only a few in the valley had fair hair. Seeing Glorfindel and Prince Legolas approach, he quickly stood up from where he sat on the foot of a tree to greet them.

"Good afternoon, my lords," said he, dipping his head slightly in a bow.

Glorfindel's eyebrow rose at this. The child was being extremely polite - not that he wasn't normally that way. He had his moments, few though they might be. Nay, he was being a bit... formal.

Legolas smiled. "Good afternoon, young Estel. It is good to see you. I believe we haven't had much time to get acquainted."

Estel flushed slightly. "It would be an honor, my Prince," he said, thinking if he should bow or not.

Legolas brow rose slightly at this.

Glorfindel smiled, understanding the odd behavior. While being raised in the House of Elrond, with all the Elf lords moving about, the young human never had an encounter with a royal, of which he only heard from tales and songs of old, High Kings and Princes of both Men and Elves. Besides, almost all the Elf lords treat him as the child of the house, such formality wasn't required.

He smiled to himself. You do recognize your similarities as being both royalty, don't you, young king?

Before Legolas could respond, Glofindel shook his head amusedly. "None of that, Estel. I'm sure Legolas, would appreciate it if you'd drop such formality. Isn't that right, young prince?"

Estel looked at Glorfindel in confusion as the Elf lord contradicted himself, but nonetheless he relaxed when he heard the prince laugh and then agreed.

"Indeed, Estel. Call me Legolas," the Elf prince said, then nodding to Glorfindel, he continued, "Don't mind him. He's always like that. Making rules in one second, then breaking them in the next."

Estel smiled, more at ease. He then remembered the bow that he was holding and turned to Glorfindel. "Shall we continue to my lessons then?" He asked eagerly, lifting his bow a bit. He felt pride to have an audience. He wasn't as good in archery as he was with sword fighting, but he was told he had the potential.

"Archery?" Legolas asked, turning smiling eyes to the other Elf.

Glorfindel laughed. "Yes, archery. Elrohir happens to be the tutor here but since he is away, I am teaching in his stead."

"Elrohir?!" Legolas exclaimed feigning horror. "By the Valar," turning to Estel he said, "Are you even learning anything at all?" He asked with great concern. His eyes, seemingly innocent, were twinkling in mirth.

"Hey!" Glorfindel slapped Legolas' arm lightly. "That's not fair. He's not even here to give you a retort!" he said laughing.

Legolas joined him. "It's not that I doubt his skills, but to teach? He never struck me as someone with great patience."

Glorfindel laughed more.

Estel felt left out. He looked at one blond Elf to the other.

"Estel, don't mind him. He prides himself as an archer," Glorfindel said, as if that explained everything.

Legolas stopped laughing, leaving a smile on his lips. "And that, I am," he said softly.

It was then that Estel saw in him, in that short moment, the Elf's passion for the bow. And with his tone of humble pride, beneath the softly uttered words, which he doubted not in the slightest, he knew instantly that it was not spoken idly.

He was suddenly embarrassed at having Legolas as an audience. The idea now seemed absurd. He would only manage to humiliate himself in front of a real and foreign archer.

Glorfindel merely smiled at Legolas' words. He had no right to contradict them for they were true. The young prince was an archer, in all aspects, and that was not only because he happened to be an Elf.

He watched as the young human bowed his head, suddenly shy. Glorfindel doubted not that the Estel thought himself extremely inferior to be faced with a foreign warrior. He then turned to Legolas finding him looking down at the young mortal, smiling.

The picture of the both of them struck him, bringing a smile to his lips.

Well then, he didn't have to teach after all. "Now, Legolas," he said. "Why don't you take over the instructions for today and let Estel see the shooting of a Wood-elf?"

Estel was about to protest, ready to save the Mirkwood prince from the trouble of teaching someone like him. Besides, he didn't want Legolas to see him so... unlearned still.

But the prince seemed to like the suggestion and Estel marveled at how he seemed to light up at the very thought.

Indeed. Archery was his passion. Estel concluded.

"That would be great, Glorfindel. I wouldn't mind," Legolas said, smiling brightly. It would give him something to do, and it was surely something that he liked doing. He was at home with a bow, that he couldn't deny and having a chance to share his talent, if not his love or passion for archery, was something he would take pride in doing, to be the teacher when he was once the student. To teach and instruct was a great responsibility and was one that he would be willing to take.

And to teach a human child! That would be an experience.

"That is, of course, if Estel would have me as his instructor," Legolas asked, turning to Estel.

Of course, there was no way Estel could have said no to such an honest offer to instruct him in the art of archery. He looked at Glorfindel, uncertain. Yet the Eldar just smiled encouragingly at him. Smiling now, he said, "That would be perfect... Legolas."

The renowned Elf lord of Gondolin most likely didn't know that he had helped in making it a reality. He gave a slight push that started the turn of the circle and wheels of friendship between Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, and Estel, foster-son of Elrond, which would then start the turning of a whole new set of wheels that not one of them had even thought of.

That one day of instruction turned into a week. And even with the arrival of the twins, two months after, Estel had still wanted the young prince of Mirkwood to continue his teaching and not only in archery, much to Elrohir's mock disappointment.

"Honestly, brother, he does so much better than you!" Elladan said, laughing, making sure to dock whatever things his twin might suddenly decide to throw him. Fortunately for him, Elrohir remained still.

They were watching Estel and Legolas on the archery field, Elrohir sitting on the fence, with Elladan leaning on it beside him.

Legolas laughed and looked at them, obviously hearing the remark. "Oh, thank you, Elladan, for pointing that out to dear Elrohir," he said in jest.

Elrohir mock pouted.

And when Estel turned to them, blinking innocent big eyes, they all laughed.

Estel made face. "Legolas, I don't know what you're talking about, but is this okay? My arms are getting heavy."

Legolas smiled, turning back to his young student.

The twins were quiet, marveling at how instantly the mask of their friend had turned into that of the mask of an instructor. He adjusted Estel's elbow with his fingers, bringing it a bit higher. All the while, explaining to him every move and adjustment that he was doing and why he was doing it.

"Did he ever consider teaching novices?" Elrohir whispered to his twin, so as not to let Legolas hear. But even so, the Mirkwood prince could not have noticed him, preoccupied as he was with his student.

"I think he did. Knowing him, he wouldn't mind that in the least. However, he is a prince and a warrior. He belongs to the field where his skills and leadership are needed more," Elladan answered.

"Pity. He would have been a great instructor, great mentor even," Elrohir said, looking back to the archery field. The title of a mentor was given to someone who was usually appointed by the child's father as a teacher, someone to guide and follow. But that was not always the case for even though no title was given, any could serve and be looked up to as mentor.

"Aye, even in such young age."

There was a sharp twang as Estel loosed his arrow.

Four pairs of eyes followed the projectile. It landed on the second circle from the mark, yet it was a hair's width away from the first circle. Elrohir blinked, impressed. Estel only managed to hit the fourth circle with him.

"I think he would have a chance at being that to Estel, brother," Elladan said, eyes on the arrow still. "Unofficial though it may be."

They both turned to the pair on the archery field as Legolas said, "You dropped your elbow the last second so your shot landed higher. But you did fine, Estel. You're arms are tired and we've had much drills today."

Estel looked down. "Yea, but I've done better. I wish I could have done it now that my brothers are here."

The twins had identical eyebrows raised. That wasn't the best shot? He had just started the formal lessons of archery months before Legolas' arrival and it wasn't even on a daily schedule. It really took time to just learn to handle the bow and arrow, much more to learn to actually use it to take aim and shoot. Estel had drastically improved in the two months that they were abroad.

And so it was that Estel and Legolas had developed their bond, a bond that never would be broken. Love sealed them both together.

Estel was Legolas' pupil and Legolas he considered his mentor and friend.

And such bond would then pave the way into something more, yet it wasn't to happen any time soon.

But then, they could not be faulted for it, for their innocent love was pure and their friendship true.

Months had turned into a year and Legolas of Mirkwood would soon have to depart. In ordinary circumstances, such departure and goodbye meant nothing but an opportunity for them to meet again in the future. And how far awaythat future wasfor Elves could be as long as a century.

But this was no ordinary circumstance.

Legolas had learned to love his young charge dearly, as much as he was loved and admired in return. He loathed to leave, especially when the said charge was near to tears at the time of goodbye.

Of course, the fact that he was mortal didn't help any.

Elrond looked up at the prince, surprised. "Have you told Estel of this?"

Legolas sighed, looking away.

The Elf lord released his own sigh as well. He knew how Estel had developed a close friendship with the Mirkwood prince. To hear that he planned to leave soon made Elrond worry for his youngest.

In his growing years of fifteen winters, Estel had found friendship and understanding in Legolas when he needed someone out of his family. Elrond was grateful for that. He had seen the effect of Legolas and Estel's relationship onboth of them.

The young prince had not only filled the role of Estel's instructor in archery, but he also had a hand in training Estel in the other arts of war, and, sometimes and unconsciously, as well as in the way of life. Estel looked up to him indeed as a mentor and friend.

"No, you have not," Elrond said, answering his own question.

"I would hate to leave Estel, my Lord," Legolas said, not even noticing when Elrond looked at him curiously at this. "But the call of duty I can ignore no further. I must go back. I've been gone for a time now and have already extended my stay for a while."

Elrond stood from where he sat behind his table. "Very well. I shall send word to your father of your riding home."

"Thank you, Lord Elrond."

Elrond smiled, looking at Legolas as if he were his son. "None of that, young prince. It is I who should thank you." He walked towards Legolas and laid his hands on the other's shoulders. "You have done much for Estel, and so, you have done much to this family. The next time you ride under Imladris' trees again, you would ride not as a guest but as a brother to us."

Elrond should have seen it then, even if Legolas himself saw it not. He should have sensed the shadow of what was to come, the shadow of something bright that would give light so pure to Arda.

Maybe Elrond had foreseen it somehow, but chose to ignore it, thinking it not possible. Both Elf lord and Elf prince had been blind and took the light of the latter's obvious love to Estel as nothing more than love for a pupil. And indeed, that was what it was.

Yet it had been the strong foundation for something more. And it was that that they had not anticipated.

Sooner or later the young prince of Mirkwood would have to inform the foster-son of Elrond of his inevitable departure. He knew not what to expect.

Elladan and Elrohir had told him that he might change his mind, laughing as they did. They knew their younger brother could be good in the art of persuasion.

And that he was.

Legolas nearly regretted his decision. Yet surprisingly, the young mortal understood the need to go, understood the call of duty and his need to fulfill them.

"I know you are a Prince, Legolas," Estel said resignedly. "I will not keep you from your duties."

Estel never failed to surprise Legolas. When the Elf thought that he had already known all that there was in knowing Estel, the young boy would still surprise him.

He supposed he shouldn't be that surprised if even at his carefree age of five and ten years, Estel already had a good grasp of duty and responsibility. He was raised in the House of Elrond, after all.

He just smiled, pride washing through him at the words of his young charge although there was an inexplicable feeling of sadness at the corner of his heart.

"When will you come back?" Estel asked, catching the Elf off guard.

The prince hadn't really thought about that. Not the concept of returning, but the idea of when exactly. "I..." he started, thinking for a moment. "I don't know exactly, but I will return," he said finally.

Estel, in the middle of his teenage years, and faced with his first real separation, was handling it quite well.

Yet, for a brief moment, the boy looked up to Legolas with such sadness that left the Elf confused. Surely, his leaving wouldn't cause Estel such distress? But it was only for a moment, and Legolas wondered if he had indeed seen it.

"You will forget me?" Estel asked, unsure, looking younger than he really was.

At this, Legolas' face broke into a gentle smile. "Of course not, Estel. Never. I will keep you here," he said, raising a fist to his heart. "Always."

Estel smiled. "As you are here," he said, mimicking the movement.

And thus it was that time had come for Legolas to leave Imladris after more than a year of visit.

He returned to Mirkwood leaving the mentor in Elrond's house and slipping back into being a prince once more.

The memory of the young human child was always in his heart.

t b c . . .
beta'd by: Dara

Author's Notes:

This is a repost. Full notes on the story will be uploaded together with the last chapter. For now, continue on chapter 3 or drop me a review to tell me what you think.) -19 November 04